From a Certain Point of View (Star Wars)

By: Renée Ahdieh, Meg Cabot, Pierce Brown, Nnedi Okorafor, Sabaa Tahir

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Ashley Eckstein, Janina Gavankar, Jon Hamm, Neil Patrick Harris, January LaVoy, Saskia Maarleveld, Carol Monda, Daniel José Older, Marc Thompson

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Experience Star Wars: A New Hope from a whole new point of view.

On May 25, 1977, the world was introduced to Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C-3PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and a galaxy full of possibilities. In honor of the 40th anniversary, more than 40 contributors lend their vision to this retelling of Star Wars. Each of the 40 short stories reimagines a moment from the original film, but through the eyes of a supporting character. From a Certain Point of View features contributions by best-selling authors, trendsetting artists, and treasured voices from the literary history of Star Wars:

• Gary Whitta bridges the gap from Rogue One to A New Hope through the eyes of Captain Antilles.
• Aunt Beru finds her voice in an intimate character study by Meg Cabot.
• Nnedi Okorofor brings dignity and depth to a most unlikely character: the monster in the trash compactor.
• Pablo Hidalgo provides a chilling glimpse inside the mind of Grand Moff Tarkin.
• Pierce Brown chronicles Biggs Darklighter's final flight during the Rebellion's harrowing attack on the Death Star.
• Wil Wheaton spins a poignant tale of the rebels left behind on Yavin.

Plus 34 more hilarious, heartbreaking, and astonishing tales from Ben Acker, Renée Ahdieh, Tom Angleberger, Ben Blacker, Jeffrey Brown, Rae Carson, Adam Christopher, Zoraida Córdova, Delilah S. Dawson, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Paul Dini, Ian Doescher, Ashley Eckstein, Matt Fraction, Alexander Freed, Jason Fry, Kieron Gillen, Christie Golden, Claudia Gray, E. K. Johnston, Paul S. Kemp, Mur Lafferty, Ken Liu, Griffin McElroy, John Jackson Miller, Daniel José Older, Mallory Ortberg, Beth Revis, Madeleine Roux, Greg Rucka, Gary D. Schmidt, Cavan Scott, Charles Soule, Sabaa Tahir, Elizabeth Wein, Glen Weldon, Chuck Wendig

Narrated by a full cast, including:

• Jonathan Davis
• Ashley Eckstein
• Janina Gavankar
• Jon Hamm
• Neil Patrick Harris
• January LaVoy
• Saskia Maarleveld
• Carol Monda
• Daniel José Older
• Marc Thompson

All participating authors have generously forgone any compensation for their stories. Instead, their proceeds will be donated to First Book - a leading nonprofit that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to educators and organizations serving children in need. To further celebrate the launch of this book and both companies' longstanding relationships with First Book, Penguin Random House has donated $100,000 to First Book, and Disney/Lucasfilm has donated 100,000 children's books - valued at $1 million - to support First Book and their mission of providing equal access to quality education. Over the past 16 years, Disney and Penguin Random House combined have donated more than 88 million books to First Book.

©2017 Renée Ahdieh (P)2017 Random House Audio

These are the Stories You’re Looking For

I’ve laughed, cried, gasped, snickered and smiled through this entire book and still want more. This is an ingenious idea to have the POV of so many characters whose appearances in the movie was minimal but whose contribution to the overall story was critical for the rebellion’s success. I hope they do this with Episodes 5 & 6 as well.

Well worth the time!

I have always been a fan of alternate viewpoints, and this is great. I don't care for all the stories, but that is what is great about an anthology of short stories. Some are great, some not so much, but overall the book is worth it.
Some of the voice actors are also better than others. But the fact that this is a full on production makes it wonderful. I have always wished that audiobooks had background music, and this does and more. Some clips from the original soundtrack, sound effects of laser blasts, howling wind, a hyperdrive, and voice modifiers for stormtroopers and Darth Vader. It is awesome!

Mostly home runs, with a few truly bizarre stories

I loved this collection. Some of the stories were absolutely breathtaking. Most of the rest were tons of fun. And one or two were so laughably absurd that you can't help but just enjoy the ride.

Needed culling

A third of the stories were excellent and really added color to the Star Wars universe. Unfortunately the rest varied from mediocre and boring to truly awful fanfic. If the collection was well-curated it could’ve been 5 stars, but it was too hard to find the gems amongst the muck.

A few great stories

Some of the stories were really well written while others are easily forgettable. There are some consistency issues between the storylines, but nothing that ruined the book for me.

Definitely worth a read for those few really good stories, but don't feel bad for skipping a few of them. I listened to them all and there are a few that I wish I skipped.

The voice acting is high quality and, like many of the other star wars audiobooks, includes background sound effects.

Fantastic

A fun book and overall very enjoyable. It was great hearing all the different povs from all different characters that were in ANH but never got any dialogue. On top of the great cast to tell all the stories, well this just made the audiobook wonderful.

tales set in the star wars ep4

Okay stories, good performances, not all cannon. a mix of comedies and tragedies, a fine way to pass the time.

Lots of Fun

I loved it! Great idea and a lot of fun! A few stories seem to dirge on but most are great. My one complaint is that a few of the stories conflict with each other and a few are more silly than serious which is a bummer because the book is supposed to be canon.

But it really is a fun read. Highly recommend.

Think you know ep IV...Think Again

Really cool to have the hindsight of all the Star Wars Universe... As you listen to its majestic beginnings. Told by those who where seen yet seldom, if ever, heard. Loved it!

Outstanding

Loved this book! Great addition to Star Wars lore. Some will say it gets repetitive, hearing the same details over and over sometimes, but it's Star Wars. It doesn't get old. You won't watch A New Hope the same again after reading these tales. The authors and story group managed to breathe new life into a film that's 40 years old and already loved by billions. I very much want to see them do this for each movie.